by Julius Albert Custodio

Created on: November 30, 2010

If shady deals, intense haggling battles, and bulk trading all sound interesting to you, then you might just enjoy playing "Wheelers and Dealers" on Facebook. If you're not really into the "thrill of the haggle" though and are just looking for another fun Facebook diversion to waste your time away, you might still want to take a second look at this fast-rising game. There are many elements in Wheelers and Dealers which cater to all types of gamers.

Wheelers and Dealers (created by browser and mobile games company, Zattikka) puts you in the shoes of a budding trader armed only with skills in finding the best deals around the city. You have to rake  up lots of profit and create connections with people as you go along. The entire game is built around the simple trading concept of "buying low and selling high".

While the whole trading part of the game sounds like it's going to get old really fast, it's quite refreshing to know that the game's not really centered on bland and boring business talk. There are people to talk to and interaction is not limited to just buying and selling. While in the real world, business and personal matters don't really mix well, it does so in this game.

An expansive game world inhabited by different personalities is presented to you right at the beginning. Although some parts of the world can only be unlocked as you go up in levels, it's not really a nuisance because you can spend hours in each town or city without getting bored. Talking with the citizens of the city, be it lowlife underground crooks, snotty socialites, or "the powers that be" comprising the establishment, is always enjoyable.

The game has a Reputation system which adjusts itself whenever a successful interaction with certain individuals take place (e.g. buying and selling usually increases your reputation with the Dealers group). This system might even remind you of that certain Sims game called The Urbz (if you have played it before). Gameplay is also very dynamic for a text-based adventure romp. Certain task objectives for example have time limits, thus you have to stay on your toes if you want to succeed.

Like in most Facebook games, you can also customize your avatars to your liking. In this game, you can style yourself as one of the thugs or you may choose to associate with the city's creme de la creme. Though it really does not affect gameplay, it's a nice added touch. You also have your own place (you start with a tiny apartment) and this is customizable as well. Graphics-wise, the game is at par with most of the high-end games brought forth by large social gaming companies. Upbeat jazz music plays while you're in the game's overworld and this really complements the money-making atmosphere. Each destination also has its own appropriate background noise (e.g. loud peddlers when you're in a busy market).

Wheelin' and dealin' has never been this much fun. (Well, at least on Facebook.)

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